The federal government through the Technical Aid Corps (TAC), on Sunday, urged Its volunteers to uphold Nigeria’s image and integrity in their places of assignment in Uganda.

Its director-general, Dr Yusuf Yakub, gave the advice in Abuja while speaking with 15 TAC volunteers that would be deployed to Uganda on Monday to bridge both the professional and educational gaps in the host country.

Mr Yakub, who was represented by the director of programmes, Amb. Usman Zakari, recalled that the scheme was established in 1987 during the then military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babagida.

He said that Nigeria took the big brother role in bridging both the professional and educational gaps in African, Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) countries.

He said the then minister of external affairs said that the monetary gifts given to these countries should be converted to skills in order to empower the ACP countries both professionally and educationally.

“This gave birth to the NTAC by the act of parliament on October 1st ,1987 and until this very day I like to say that we have deployed almost 40,000 volunteers like you.

“So, 15 of you are exceptional among the entries collected,’’ he said.

Some volunteers also pledged to make Nigeria proud by offering quality services to some universities in their host community

Dr Peter Uzomba, a PhD holder in developmental economy, Department of Economics, Federal University of Lokoja, said the volunteers would not take Nigeria below her standard.

Mr Uzomba said, “We will not take Nigeria below her standard, and we will ensure that the image of Nigeria is projected at the global arena.

“We will ensure Nigeria will be projected for serving humanity through the deployment of TAC volunteers to countries that are in need of professionals in certain fields.

“When you look at development metric, there are so many indices use to judge a country, and for Nigeria to be the only country in Africa to deploy TAC volunteers to ACP countries it should be applauded.”

He thanked God for being part of 15 of volunteers selected out of 10,000 entries that were sent to the corps.

Mr Uzomba thanked the federal government for the unique opportunity given to volunteers to contribute their quota as they have three core mandates which are research, teachings and community service.

“So, this is a way of extending the community service responsibility as lecturers beyond the boundaries of Nigeria and we are particularly going to Uganda and it’s a thing of joy.

“We will also contribute our quota to the diplomatic profile of the country, I want to appreciate the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NTAC and its members of staff that contributed to the entire process and the media.

Also, the team lead of the group, Dr Clement Afolabi, a plant pathologist and Dr Usman Isyaku, of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, lauded the programme and promised to project Nigeria’s image in their host community.

(NAN)